A New Zealand man has been arrested and charged after a 22-year-old woman was killed when she was struck by a stolen rental car on a pedestrian crossing just moments after playing the popular Pokemon GO game.
The Sydney woman was dragged more than 70 metres after being mowed down at the intersection of King and Victoria streets in West Melbourne early on Saturday.
New Zealander Nicholas Michael Davison was arrested nearby and charged with culpable driving, dangerous driving, failed to stop at the scene of an accident, failed to render assistance, burglary and theft.
Davison, who currently lives in North Melbourne, appeared in Melbourne's Magistrates Court on Saturday following the alleged hit-and-run. Police alleged the man was driving at speeds of up to 100km/h.
The young woman, from Lane Cove, and a friend had just finished scouring the streets to catch Pokemon characters when they decided to grab food shortly after 2am, 7 News reported.
The woman had her phone in her pocket when she was hit by the stolen silver Toyota Corolla after the driver allegedly sped through a red light before crashing into a tree and pole.
Her horrified friend watched helplessly as the woman was left for dead in the middle of the road after the 21-year-old driver allegedly fled the scene on foot.
Detective Inspector Stuart McGregor described the tragedy as "an absolute waste of life".
"All she did was just walk across the pedestrian crossing, legally, and [she] has unfortunately paid with her life because of someone else's behaviour," Inspector McGregor told reporters.
"It's fair to say that this is probably one of the lowest acts I think you can commit on the road.
"Unfortunately, we've seen the worst of humanity where the driver has got out and just run away. No attempt to assist, no attempt to concern themselves with the welfare of the person he has hit.
"To me it's just despicable."
The woman had just arrived in Melbourne the night before to visit the friend, who was standing just metres from her when she stepped into the path of the car.
Davison was remanded in custody until his next court appearance. If found guilty, Inspector McGregor said Davison could spend up to 20 years behind bars.
